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The Society for Integrative Medicine Japan 2009; 2(2): 114-117

Concentrated-Bovine protein(CBP) increases Bone Mineral Density

Kentaro Naito, Kunio Matsuta

Introduction

Due to the rapid aging, incidence of osteoporosis is increasing year after year in Japan. Osteoporosis, is placed as a disease to increase the risk of fractures, defined as a decrease of bone mineral density. Appropriate treatment of prevention of osteoporosis is achieved by maximizing peak bone mass in early adulthood, and preventing excess bone loss, particularly after menopause. Balance between bone resorption and formation maintains bone homeostasis through a process called bone remodeling. Thus, along with well-balanced nutrients and energy intake, consumption of foods that promotes bone metabolism can confer additional bone health benefits.

Historically bovine milk is widely consumed and is considered to be a rich source of calcium. Several studies have found that milk whey proteins potentiate bone remodeling. Especially basic fractions derived from milk whey proteins have been found to promote bone metabolism in several studies. Its confirmed primary mechanism of action is through inhibition of osteoclast mediated bone resorption. Its basic fractions is attracting attention as a bone functional nutrients because of its daily consumption brings significantly increased bone mineral density in the clinical trials for healthy elderly women and healthy men in the clinical trials.

Lately Concentrated fractions of low molecular weight whey proteins (1–30 kDa), that is concentrated bovine milk whey active proteins (CBP), have been found to enhance bone formation. The study showed that the femurs of the young ovariectomized rats fed the CBP diet were longer and heavier than those of the controls. Very interesting point to note is that CBP is thought to increase the vertical size of the animal and bone elongation. CBP may potentiate bone strength and growth. To date, very little clinical data about CBP has been reported. Further clinical study of CBP should be conducted to validate its function as a bone metabolism-related nutrition.